Trevor Zegras is a name that needs no introductions.

The Philadelphia Flyers’ new acquisition is someone well-known around the league, recognized by organizations, the media, and fans. Stemming from his breakout first two full seasons in the NHL, Zegras was poised to be a star. Early in his career, he found himself gracing the cover of EA Sports NHL 23; his highlights were everywhere, and Trevor Zegras quickly became a household name.

I don’t need to sit here and tell you who Trevor Zegras is.

However, what was once viewed as a promising young career was quickly derailed by injuries, and the past two seasons have been far from ideal for the young forward. There has not been a sufficiently large sample size to determine whether Zegras remains the same person.

The Flyers took advantage of that uncertainty. GM Danny Briere mentioned that the two sides have talked about Zegras in the past. The Ducks were unwilling to move him, but after the past two seasons, the uncertainty made it easier for Anaheim to move on. Briere said things just made sense for both teams this morning.

Now, here we are. Trevor Zegras is a Philadelphia Flyer. So, what are the Flyers getting in their new young player?

Read More: Flyers Acquire Trevor Zegras: Immediate Reaction

Trevor Zegras’ Career By the Numbers

Before we get too deep into it, let’s look at Zegras’ career numbers.

2020-21 season: 24 games played, 3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points, +6
2021-22 season (rookie): 75 games played, 23 goals, 38 assists, 61 points, -21
2022-23 season: 81 games played, 23 goals, 42 assists, 65 points, -24
2023-24 season (ankle/groin injuries): 31 games played, 6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points, -1
2024-25 season (torn meniscus, surgery): 57 games played, 12 goals, 20 assists, 32 points, -8

In his first three seasons, Zegras was on a path to stardom. Injuries help him back, causing his numbers to drop, and even get bumped off the position he thrived in. From 2020 through 2023, Zegras was primarily a center. Since the injuries, coupled with the emergence of Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson, he has been forced to play on the wing.

Sure, injuries were the primary driver in the production drop. But, one has to wonder if the position change hurt him as well.

Now, Briere says that there are no injury concerns for Zegras as he begins his career in Philadelphia. But what position will he play?

The Flyers Got a Center

First and foremost, the Flyers got a top-six center in Trevor Zegras.

Briere would not admit to trading for him as a center; instead, he said it was head coach Rick Tocchet’s call. However, the Flyers traded a center, Ryan Poehling, to Anaheim. With the team’s current depth issues at the position, it can be safe to assume the intention is to play him down the middle.

Also, Pat Verbeek, the Ducks GM, mentioned that Zegras wants to play center again. He even mentioned that he is a better player when in the middle, but the Ducks’ current centers made it impossible. Zegras is not a third-line guy, so he had to play the wing.

That said, with the right linemates, Zegras could immediately return to form. There are a couple of different combinations that intrigue me.

Briere said during his pre-draft availability that you could not get a fourth-line center without coughing up a second-line winger. Well, he just swapped a fourth-line center for a second-line center. A masterclass of a trade for the Flyers.

What Kind of Player is Zegras

When he first broke onto the scene, Zegras was an all-offense, no-defense sort of player. He was, and still is, one of the most skilled players in the league. The things he can do with the puck on his stick are unimaginable. It is unfair for just one guy to have that much skill.

He played significantly better at center, primarily because he lacks physicality, especially around the boards. Keeping him at wing would be a mistake. You would get a lot more production from Zegras playing him down the middle.

Since the injuries, Zegras has become a little more responsible in the defensive end, making up for the lost offensive production. Now, that is not to say he has become a full-on two-way player; that is not the case. However, he certainly has improved his 200-foot game.

One thing we know for sure is that Zegras is one of the most cerebral players in the game. He sees the ice with crazy intelligence, which allows him to use his skill on a whole different level. I mentioned the right linemates earlier. Zegras playing alongside Matvei Michkov is a match made in heaven. The two stars will feed off each other, especially with Zegras down the middle.

One specific area Zegras needs great improvement in is the faceoff circle. Zegras is notoriously bad on the draw. A career 40.1% at the dot, he has never gone above 43.8%, which just so happened to be during the shortest season of his career.

While I do believe he’ll play center despite that great weakness, he will need to significantly improve with faceoffs.

No matter what, the Flyers got a player who still has untapped potential. It will be exciting to see how Zegras plays with the Flyers this season.

Read More: Final Flyers Mock Draft: Mocking the Whole First Round

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